About Fence Calculator
Calculate fence materials for any perimeter — posts, panels, rails, and pickets. Enter fence length and height to get a complete materials list with quantities and spacing.
How to use
- Enter the total fence length (perimeter) in feet or metres. For a rectangular property, measure the sides you want to fence and add them together. Use a measuring wheel or long tape for accuracy. If your property is irregular, measure each section and sum them. Subtract the width of any gates.
- Set the post spacing. Standard spacing is 8 feet for pre-built panels and 6-8 feet for board-on-board fences. Closer spacing (6 feet) provides more rigidity in windy areas or for tall fences. Post spacing should not exceed 8 feet for any residential fence to prevent sagging between posts.
- Choose your fence height and style. Common residential heights: 4 feet (decorative, front yard), 6 feet (standard privacy), and 8 feet (maximum privacy, may require permit). Styles include pre-built panels (fastest installation), picket (decorative with gaps), and board-on-board (overlapping boards for full privacy from every angle).
- Review the complete materials list: number of posts (typically 4x4 for fences under 6 feet, 4x6 or 6x6 for taller fences), horizontal rails (2 or 3 per section), panels or individual pickets/boards, concrete for post holes (1-2 bags per post), screws or nails, and post caps.
- Estimate your total cost. Pressure-treated fence materials in Canada run $15-$25 per linear foot for a standard 6-foot privacy fence. Cedar costs $20-$35 per linear foot. Professional installation adds $15-$30 per linear foot for labour. A 150 linear foot fence costs roughly $4,500-$9,000 installed depending on material.
- Plan your gate locations and subtract their width from the fence run before calculating. Standard gate widths: 3-4 feet for pedestrian gates, 10-12 feet for double vehicle gates. Each gate requires two additional posts (set in extra concrete for strength) and gate hardware.
Frequently asked questions
How many fence posts do I need for 100 feet of fence?
With standard 8-foot post spacing: 100 / 8 = 12.5, round up to 13 panels, plus one extra post for the end = 14 posts. With 6-foot spacing: 100 / 6 = 16.7, round up to 17 sections = 18 posts. Each post requires a hole approximately 10 inches in diameter and one-third of the total post length deep (for a 6-foot fence using 8-foot posts, the hole is about 24 inches deep, or deeper to reach below the frost line). Each post needs 1-2 bags of concrete mix for a solid, long-lasting setting.
How deep should fence posts be set?
The general rule is to bury one-third of the total post length. For a 6-foot fence using 8-foot posts, bury 24-30 inches. However, in Canadian climates, posts must reach below the frost line to prevent heaving: southern Ontario requires 4 feet below grade, prairies require 5-6 feet. This means fence posts in many Canadian regions need to be 10-foot lengths buried 4-5 feet deep with 5-6 feet above grade. Set posts in concrete with the top of the concrete slightly above ground level and sloped away from the post to shed water. Frost heave is the primary cause of leaning fence posts in Canada. Use the
Concrete Calculator to determine exactly how many bags you need for all your post holes before heading to the hardware store.
How many pickets do I need per section?
For a standard 8-foot fence section with 3.5-inch wide pickets and 1.5-inch gaps between them: each picket-plus-gap unit is 5 inches, so 8 feet (96 inches) / 5 inches = 19.2, meaning 19-20 pickets per section. For a privacy fence with no gaps using 5.5-inch wide fence boards: 96 / 5.5 = 17.5, so 18 boards per 8-foot section. Board-on-board fences (overlapping boards for total privacy) use approximately 25% more boards since each board overlaps the adjacent one by about 1 inch. Always buy 10% extra to account for defective boards and cutting waste.
What is the standard fence panel size?
Pre-built fence panels in Canada are typically 8 feet wide and come in heights of 4, 5, 6, or 8 feet. The 6-foot height is the most common for residential privacy fences. Panel styles include solid privacy (flat top or dog-ear), lattice top (solid bottom with decorative lattice upper section), and shadowbox (alternating boards on each side of the rails for a finished look from both sides). Panels attach between posts using brackets or directly to the post faces. Custom heights and widths are available from fence suppliers but cost 20-40% more than standard sizes.
Do I need a permit to build a fence?
Requirements vary by municipality. Most Canadian cities allow fences up to 6 feet in backyard and side yards without a permit. Front yard fences are typically limited to 3-4 feet. Fences over 6 feet (in backyards) or 4 feet (in front yards) usually require a permit. Before building, check: your local zoning bylaws for height and setback requirements, whether your neighbourhood has HOA or architectural guidelines, property line locations (consider getting a survey if boundaries are unclear), and utility locate markings (call before you dig). In most jurisdictions, the finished (good) side of the fence must face your neighbour.
How long does a wood fence last?
Pressure-treated spruce/pine: 15-20 years with minimal maintenance, though boards may warp and grey over time. Cedar: 15-25 years, naturally resists rot and insects, weathers to an attractive silver-grey. Posts typically fail before boards since they have ground contact. Extend fence life by: using rot-resistant post materials (cedar, treated, or steel post inserts), setting posts in concrete, keeping soil and vegetation away from the base of boards, and applying stain or sealant every 2-3 years. Posts set directly in soil without concrete last only 5-8 years before rotting at the ground line.
What does a fence cost per linear foot in Canada?
Approximate costs per linear foot (materials + labour): pressure-treated privacy fence $25-$40, cedar privacy fence $35-$55, vinyl/PVC fence $40-$70, chain link fence $15-$30, ornamental iron/aluminum $50-$100. Materials-only costs are roughly 40-50% of these totals for DIY installation. A typical 150 linear foot backyard privacy fence costs $4,500-$9,000 installed in pressure-treated lumber. Costs vary by region: urban centres are 10-20% higher than rural areas. Get at least 3 quotes from licensed contractors and verify they include post hole digging, concrete, hardware, and cleanup.
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